This year, National Poppy Day is May 27. On that day, Americans are asked to remember the sacrifices made by veterans, while they were protecting our freedoms, by wearing a red poppy. The Post 283 Auxiliary shared poppies at the town’s 100th Birthday Celebration on May 7.
The red crepe paper poppies became the national emblem of remembrance of World War I in the 1920s thanks to Canadian physician Lt. Col. McCrae poem, “In Flanders Fields.” He noticed the poppies growing the devastated landscapes and war fields, like tiny beacons of hope.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The idea for the paper poppies is traced back to University of Georgia professor Moina Michael, who after WWI, came up with the idea of making and selling red silk poppies to raise money to support returning veterans.
Annually U.S. Auxiliaries promote the poppies in May. They are generally worn in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand in November.
Since 2014, Ukrainians have worn the poppy as a symbol of Victory over Nazism and to commemorate victims of World War II.
If you have the opportunity, wear a poppy and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I would love to wear a poppy on May 27. Where can I get one?
Mary
Mary,
I’m checking with the Legion Post to see if there are any left–
Sue